Confidentiality, transparency, and the U.S. civil justice system

About this book

The lawsuit is the cornerstone of the civil justice system in America, and an open court the foundation of American jurisprudence. Recently, however, more civil disputes have been resolved out of court and the outcomes kept secret. Some argue that the confidentiality of the system keeps it working efficiently and fairly; others argue that the public is being denied information about hazards that may cause harm and that a public system with no data lacks oversight. This book approaches the issue in a multidisciplinary, nonpartisan, and empirical manner.